Cooperman

This company is known for its replicas of Civil War marching drums. Partially at our prodding, they have branched out into solid snare shell construction. They use a 3/8” slab and support rings. The company owns land and mills in Vermont and specializes in native woods: Cherry, Maple, curley Maple, Oak.

Craviotto

John Craviotto is credited with sparking the renewed interest in a solid steam-bent wooden shell. His shells are made in a variety of wood; Maple, Mahogany, Pecan, Flame Birch. He is also the first to make shells from“ recovered” woods, some 500 year old-growth woods recovered from the bottom of Lake Superior. His shells are 3/8” thick slab with support rings at either side.

Dunnett

They have supplied titanium and stainless steel shells for Gladstone build-out. The titanium is virtually paper-thin, but is so strong it is used in aircraft construction. They are a rolled cylinder without a separate bearing edge.

Global Drum Company

Matt Wille has made some of our most interesting shells, including the; the Flame Birch“ Timeless Timber “ drum set, and the featured Zebrawood snare. He calls the process "RAW Stacked Shell",segmented: stacking blocks of wood and matchining them into round. On the drum set each drum thickness is proportional to its diameter. There is no need for support rings. Shells can be ordered in any wood imaginable.

Keller

The venerable Keller shells are used by most of the major drum companies. They are multiple maple plies glued to form a perfect circle. The original wooden Gladstone shells were ply shells 1/4” thick, and we continue that tradition.

Tommy’s Drum Shop

Tommy is the inspiration behind the revival of Fibes Drums. They feature Fiberglas shells, and Tommy has made a number of shells for us.

Three steam-bent solid shells.
(L-R)
Birch
White Birch
Birch with stain

Vaughncraft
www.vaughncraft.com
A company founded by Ron Vaughn many years ago had been know for their wood blocks and tambourines. They recently started making steam-bent one piece shells in many exotic woods- including solid Rosewood.

Jimi Smith
We found  Jimi on the web and contracted him to make exotic shells including Bubinga, Cocobolo and Kauri (see “Recovered Woods”). His workmanship is superb and we are always encouraging the best of the old and the new. He has 30 years of experience building and restoring drums.

Joe Migliaccio
We have finally been able to get three-ply shells made! Joe makes the shells to the original specs of the old Gretsch shells from the 30s: outer and inner plys of maple with a poplar center. We are also selling the raw shells to builders who want to make their own snares.